Redshirt freshman running back Lache Seastrunk requested and has been granted his unconditional release to transfer from the U. Oregon football program, head coach Chip Kelly confirmed Saturday afternoon.

The five-star recruit out of Temple, Texas, spent the 2010 season as a scout team running back, and was competing for a spot behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner through the first two weeks of fall camp. The arrivals of true freshmen running backs De’Anthony Thomas and Tra Carson made that competition even more difficult, though Seastrunk’s reasons for transferring are unknown at this point.

“We wish Lache all the best in his future pursuits and will offer our complete assistance to him in his search to continue his football and educational career,” Kelly said.

In other Oregon football news, the Ducks were tabbed the No. 3 team in the country in the Associated Press poll that was released this morning. No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 2 Alabama were the only teams ahead of Oregon, with No. 4 LSU and No. 5 Boise State rounding out the top 5.